Suva began operations in 1918 and is now an indispensable part of Switzerland’s social security system. A special stamp is being issued to mark its 100th anniversary. After new working environments were created by industrialization, a plan to intro- duce health and accident insurance was embedded in the Federal Constitution in 1890. In 1912, the Confederation commis- sioned the establishment of the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund. Although delayed by the First World War, Suva became operational in 1918. Its mandate included providing mandatory accident insurance for the vast majority of workers and ensuring occupational safety in the factories it insured. Over time, other services relating to prevention, insurance and rehabilitation have been added. Only since 1984 have all employees been required to be insured against accidents. Today, 128,000 companies and two million people (half of Switzerland’s workforce) are insured with Suva. The illustration on the special stamp shows typical objects from a building site. The Suva headquarters in Lucerne, which were built in 1914–15, can be seen in the back- ground.